Pat and Joe Byrne


The Pat and Joe Byrne band is a quintessential Newfoundland traditional folk music group that is notorious for writing songs about the lifestyle that goes with living on the island of Newfoundland. Formed in the early 1980s and only releasing two studio albums that are in high demand, the group still plays shows at local bars and pubs. The band has had a major impact on the Newfoundland folk music scene years after their initial album releases, Towards the Sunset.

Early years

Pat and Joe Byrne are brothers from Placentia Bay that both moved to the capital city of Newfoundland, St. John's in 1943. While Baxter had always been performing solo and with various groups such as The Breakwater Boys and The Wareham Brothers. As well, Baxter has been writing music for other folk groups since the 1970s.

Recent years

Brothers

Both brothers have since earned university degrees and are currently teaching at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Pat has published numerous volumes of poetry and song, and still performs at folk festivals and various radio and television broadcasts. His most recent accomplishment is the editing of the three volume set, Land, Sea and Time, a widely used set that has been adopted in all high schools throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Matthew Byrne, the son of Joe and the nephew of Pat, is also now a musician.

Wareham

Baxter Wareham, retired from a career of teaching high school, has begun following his lifelong dream to be the captain of a pilot boat and is currently working at sea out of Arnold's Cove.

Discography